The Keepers of the Black Cave

By Pahima Hanit

Does the phrase 'history repeats itself' has any merit? Is it true? Some say it is; some say that events in history repeat themselves endlessly and occur again and again in parallel time loops. Nicole and her brothers do not know for sure. What they do know, is that sometimes when history repeats itself, things can go wrong, and they are here to prevent just that.
This compelling time travel novel is the story of the Nicole and her family, that are entrusted to keep history unchanged. Through the black cave at the edge of the forest they jump back in time to an event in history, an event that is about to be changed, about to be altered. Their mission is simple, preserve history as it is, and don’t let loops in time make changes, changes that can affect the future.
What would have happened if JFK was still alive? What would be the difference if Elvis didn’t really die? What would change if one more boy had died in the Holocaust?
The three of them have done this for as long as they can remember, and know their way through history. But what happens when the rules are slightly bent? When someone chooses to interpret the course of history? Use history for their own benefits?
Will Nicole and her brothers survive? Will the world survive? What will be the cost?
Read 'The Keepers of the Black Cave' to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pahima Hanit
• Release date: Aug 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463924839

Pahima Hanit

Pahima Hanit is a new writer who recently published her first book, 'The keepers of the black cave', A time travel fiction novel. Hanit has shifted her career after 20 years in the high-tech industry to pursuit her dream and talent of writing. As a personal travel planner and a dreamer she combines into her stories her adventures in the world, her passion for TV shows and movies and her vast and cynical imagination. New novel by this author is currently under writing and will be published soon. Dive in and find all about the author and the adventures of the keepers in 'The keepers of the black cave'

Book preview

cover.jpg

Pahima Hanit

The Keepers of the Black Cave

Pahima Hanit

The Keepers of the Black Cave

Grammatical Editing: Rachel Kessel

Cover Design: Studio Zameret

© All rights reserved by the author

Printed by Zameret Books

Printed in Israel 2019

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of the publication may be reproduced, stored into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any from or by any means (digital, electric, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the author.

Table of contents

Episode One - Black

Episode Two - Memories of the past

Episode Three - King Richard’s court

Episode Four - Not how it was planned to be

Episode Five - Terry Sheridan

Episode Six - A way out of the battle

Episode Seven - Back home

Episode Eight - Back to the past

Episode Nine - No show

Episode Ten - Only nine weeks

Episode Eleven - The next aim

Episode Twelve - 6 years

Episode Thirteen - A new reality

Episode Fourteen - In the cave together

Episode One

Black

The road ahead of us snaked through the trees and the tall rocks, twisting and turning through the deep valleys and curves of the high mountains. It was long and dangerous but we did not care, we didn’t take our feet off the gas pedals, reduce our speed, or stop for even one second. Three shiny cars with glittering colors running wild through the thick green forest, adding sparkle.

This would be our last fun time together before we said goodbye for a while and we were determined to make the best of it. It was a tradition to race up the mountain, all the way to the cave, and so we put our best into it. We knew this road by heart, had traveled it many times before. It was untouched and unchanged, since we were almost the only ones to travel so far into these remote mountains and forests.

One thing had changed over the years - our cars. We had to have a new car every time we drove up to the cave, just for the fun of it. We loved the speed and the technology, we loved the new smell of the car and the loud engine sounds roaring up and shaking the mountain with their metallic alien to nature resonance. It seemed that nature had become used to our twice-a-year mayhem, once when we ascended the mountain and another on our descent.

When we are all back from the cave, we would take a day or two to look for the next fast, shiny cars and give the old ones away to whomever we found in need of a cool ride. So, if you ever see a homeless person sleeping in a custom-made Ferrari …

I had managed to overtake Rick where the mountain path turned and was a bit wider, enough for both cars, only to find my brother Tray, already ahead. I did not remember seeing him in front of me or passing me. The need for acceptance hit me; winning would have to wait for the next time. Maybe I would be able to stay second but the chances were slim, my brothers are the best drivers ever and although I have learned all I know from them, I have not managed to outdo them... yet.

We have a rule: whoever wins the race jumps into the cave first, the second one following. Last one standing, usually me, jumps third after standing alone at the edge of the cave. We have always wondered whether Tray returns from his aims ahead of us because he jumps first. The truth is we like to keep it that way. Tray is always waiting for us at home when we come back, with the house ready and welcoming.

This is my small family; I am Nicole, the middle sister of two brothers. We live together in the same house but apart from the rest of the world, which remains unaware of the role we play in keeping it safe. Rick is the oldest and as such the most responsible. Tray is the youngest and, therefore, the most reckless and immature or the most carefree and free-spirited; both definitions suit him. Technically, none of us is young anymore in terms of years.

As for me, I would say I am unpredictable; I do what needs to be done, right or wrong. Following orders would make me rather predictable, if not for my personal interpretation of what is really needed. The inclination to change what I came to do, or how I am to do it, is common in my aims.

Today is Aim day, as every June 1st has been for many years, and that means being away from each other, being alone, which I never like; completely disconnected from my world, not knowing what the others are going through and when or whether I will see them again. We are quite resistant and it would be very hard to kill us but the situations we face are sometimes very dangerous and we have been injured before.

Although I am excited about the aims and always love the new place, culture, and adventure, I also miss home. This sad notion always catches me at the end of the trail up the mountain and we were almost there.

When we arrived at the top, we would hide our rides next to the cave’s opening, but until we got there, I continued to swivel the wheel fast left and right, pumping the gas pedal and brakes and trying to get ahead of Tray, who was very close to the end of the road. Somebody had to end his winning streak, but a few moments later it became rather clear that it would not be me. Just as I thought I was ahead, Rick overtook me near the end. He did it without even looking at the road; he was looking at me, smiling through his teeth, his eyes glimmering with joy. He blew a kiss in my direction and disappeared from sight around the corner. I smiled back and returned his kiss. See you at the top! I shouted, but he was too far away to hear.

A few minutes later, we reached the top. We parked the cars side by side in an arc form. Tray was already out of his car and Rick was strapping on his bag while closing the SUV’s back door. Our black bags come with us, to be used only in acute emergencies when our lives are in danger. We had never opened them and we didn’t know what they contained. All we knew is that one day they may save our lives.

Tray waved his arm over a tall old tree and part of the tree shifted to reveal a control panel curved into the wood. Good morning, Tray, a mechanical voice called out. Here is a reminder of your aim for today, please memorize it while I park your car. As he pressed the down arrow, his car began to descend into the ground, making hardly any sound. The three of us looked at the descending car that had started to disappear into the ground beneath us until a leaf-covered plate closed the opening that had swallowed Tray’s car whole, leaving no sign that anything had happened here.

It was our turn now and Rick gestured to me to go first. I stepped up to the tree and waved my hand over it. Good morning, Nicole. Here is a reminder of your aim, please memorize it. I read the white letters that appeared on the gray screen - Save Mary from drowning. I stood there for a few seconds, staring at the screen as I wondered who Mary is. Where will she drown? Why is she so important? Questions raced through my head when Rick touched my shoulder and I turned to look at him. My aim was gone from the panel, my chain of thoughts broken, and it was his turn now.

Rick waved his hand once, went over his aim one more time, and then waved it back again, this time in the opposite direction. The panel on the tree closed with a dull thud and we were surrounded by silence.

Part of the time we have between aims is devoted to training. We know every weapon that exists, every fighting technique, and quite a few languages, some of them quite old. We need those skills to stay sharp and alive. We never know what will find us, whom we will meet, and what we will need to achieve, so it is best to be ready. Being ready means no fear; when you lose your fear, you are half way to success.

Our cave was the deepest in the world; in fact, looking down from the opening it was quite impossible to see the bottom. The only way in was through a wide shaft. From afar, it looked like a little hill with a flat peak. Over the years, we had seen some mountain climbers descend into the cave. They fastened their hooks and ropes, climbed down and up, unaware of the magic that surrounded them, unaware that the cave was deeper than their eyes could see and their minds could grasp.

Today there was no one here but us; the cave was alight, as it always was on the day we came. It was full of golden lights with red stripes crisscrossing the beams; I spent a moment looking at it, fixated. The sky was black gray and lightning flickered, mimicking a storm. This was the cave’s way of ensuring that no hikers would arrive here today and interfere with our aims.

Ready? Rick asked. We looked at him from both sides, smiled, and nodded. Well, I am sure ready to meet the world’s damsels in distress waiting for me to save them, Tray said with a sly smile. I thought your aim was to save a guy. When will you have time for damsels? I asked him, laughing. I am an exceptional man. I can actually do two things at once… he said proudly. You are abnormal for certain, I’m just not sure that that is your special skill, Rick laughed. Knowing you as I do, I’m sure you’ll manage both the aim and the girls, he added.

Well, I can’t wait to get started! Tray nearly shouted. Rick, I hope you catch that killer and I hope you’ll save your Mary and stay safe. I want to see you both here with me soon. He gave Rick a manly hug and held me for a few seconds, smelling my hair and kissing my forehead. I just stood there, absorbing his scent and not letting him release me. We stood there like that for a few seconds and he moved his eyes and looked at mine. Stay safe, sweetie, no stupid heroic gestures, he said as I felt a little sadness creep over me. No stupid things and not too many girls or I’ll be jealous, I taunted him. He just smiled his gorgeous smile at me. I looked at him deeply, amazed by the power emanating from him. I sensed a shiver run through me, as though he was energizing my body. I felt fully charged as he nodded his head with a slight smile to note that he completely understood what had just happened. Tray gave another look at Rick and double back flipped down the cave. In midair, he flipped again and waved at us. We watched as he disappeared from sight, holding each other’s hand.

Rick and I stood there, staring into the abyss. We knew that now it was our turn for goodbyes, so we delayed the moment as much as we could. However, you can only hold your breath for so long.

Rick sighed and turned to me. We stepped away from the cave and he held both my shoulders and began speaking in a serious father-like voice. Check who Mary is, figure out the danger, fix it, and then come home. Don’t do anything foolish. I stared at him with a little smile that held back a big laugh. Now can I give you the same ‘stay safe’ speech? I gave rein to my laughter and started making noises. Rick rolled his eyes and laughed with me, shaking his head in acceptance. I love you more than anything, always, he whispered in my ear as he began to walk backwards toward the cave without taking his eyes off me. Rick reached the opening, smiled at me, and then simply fell backwards. I ran to the opening of the cave and looked down but he was already gone.

I stood there for a minute in the silent jungle, next to the huge cave that was so familiar to me. Love you, I whispered as though he could still hear me. I took a few steps back, closed my eyes, inhaled deeply, and like in a race, said to myself: GO! Running as fast as I could, I covered the distance to the cave. When I approached the opening, I jumped high in the air, spreading my hands to the sides like a bird. I floated in midair for a few seconds and then joined my hands together in front of my head, as though I was jumping headfirst into a pool.

Then everything went BLACK.

Episode Two

Memories of the past

Memories of the past flickered through my mind as I lay in the dark near the cave’s opening - I was back! I remembered all my past events, all the different people and variety of characters that I had encountered over the years. I thought of the little boy I had saved from terrible poverty in Africa, how excited he had been in his new home; I remembered Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, which almost ended in a disaster; and I remembered Terry Sheridan - the only person I had ever brought back with me.

Over the years, my stories and those of my brothers had begun to merge in my mind. Every time we returned home, we would sit on the porch together, nursing our bodies from our last voyage, drinking beer, and sharing our latest stories in such detail that it almost felt like we had experienced all of them ourselves. I love this time of year, it is always autumn and we sit cradled in blankets beside each other on the porch, overlooking the valley. It simply feels safe.

I tried to lift my head but felt dizzy and decided to stay on the ground a bit longer. As much as I missed Rick and Tray, getting up seemed an impossible mission now. It was common to feel that way when returning through the cave. The time difference and travel can affect the body and I just needed to stay still for a while. I lay there thinking about Terry and how much I missed him, how much I would like to see and feel him again. The silence and the darkness seemed to sharpen my senses and I saw his face in the clear dark sky, as clear as the day I first saw him, such a long time ago. I became immersed in this feeling, paying no attention to the passing time.

Thirty minutes’ rest, the sun beginning to rise, and a huge spider creeping its way towards me made me jump up and I stood, swaying a little in my place. Terry’s face disappeared in an instant and I was struck by reality. I walked over to the old oak tree, waving my elbow at its tree eye. Welcome back, Nicole, it greeted me mechanically. Thanks, I answered in a tired and uninterested voice, as if it could hear or be offended by my lack of enthusiasm.

The panel slid open and a spinning outline of my car appeared on it. Yes, Tray and Rick were back already, ahead of me as always. Otherwise their cars would have appeared on the panel as well. I pressed it and the ground began to shake as the metal plate holding my car’s most recent resting place started moving. Sixty seconds later, the car was on the ground and the metal plate returned to its original place with no sign or sound.

I got in with a sigh and turned on the radio. How I missed music, 8 days without it seemed forever. Most of the time when we travel, we miss the trivial things that we have here, like music, panties, and a decent shower. I started driving to the sound of the beat, all the way home.

The sight of my home twenty minutes later brought a warm feeling to my body, and I stared at it rising from its night’s sleep. The lights were off and Rick was standing in front of the den’s big window looking out. As he noticed my car approaching, he quickly put down his cup and, in a flash, he was down two flights of stairs and out the door. He ran up to my car and I had to step hard on the brakes to avoid hitting him.

Gorgeous! We were starting to get worried about you, 8 days to save a girl. Quite a poor record, don’t you think? he said, aiming a mocking smile at me. Well, to my defense it was an unusually large girl, I said, laughing, and jumped into his open arms, holding him closely - I was home! Tray heard the noise and came running down. Babe, you’re back, finally! He swooped me up and swung me around. I held on to him as